Man Of Constant Sorrow
Ralph Stanley Lyrics


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I am a man of constant sorrow,
I've seen trouble all my day.
I bid farewell to old Kentucky,
The place where I was born and raised.

For six long years I've been in trouble,
No pleasures here on earth I found.
For in this world I'm bound to ramble,
I have no friends to help me now.

It's fare thee well my old lover.
I never expect to see you again.
For I'm bound to ride that northern railroad,
Perhaps I'll die upon this train.

You can bury me in some deep valley,
For many years where I may lay.
Then you may learn to love another,
While I am sleeping in my grave.

Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
My face, you'll never see no more.




But there is one promise that is given
I'll meet you on God's golden shore.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ralph Stanley's song Man Of Constant Sorrow is a testament to the life of a nomadic man who has gone through a lot of hardships in his life. He says that he's seen trouble all his day and has bid farewell to old Kentucky, the place where he was born and raised. The song describes a man's journey through life, where he's been in trouble for six long years with no pleasures to be found on earth. The singer concludes that in this world, he's bound to ramble, and he has no friends to help him now.


The song goes on to say that the singer has bid farewell to his old lover, and he never expects to see her again. He is bound to ride the northern railroad, and perhaps he'll die upon this train. The singer knows that he's going to die soon, and he wants to be buried in some deep valley where he may lay for many years. He then tells his old lover that she may learn to love another while he's sleeping in his grave. Despite all his troubles, he still seeks redemption, promising to meet her on God's golden shore.


Line by Line Meaning

I am a man of constant sorrow,
I am a man who has always experienced pain and suffering.


I've seen trouble all my day.
Throughout my life, I have encountered many difficulties.


I bid farewell to old Kentucky,
I say goodbye to my home state of Kentucky.


The place where I was born and raised.
The place where I grew up and spent my childhood.


For six long years I've been in trouble,
For six years, I have been facing problems and difficulties.


No pleasures here on earth I found.
I have experienced no happiness or joy in life.


For in this world I'm bound to ramble,
In this world, I am destined to wander aimlessly.


I have no friends to help me now.
I have no companions who can assist me in my problems.


It's fare thee well my old lover.
I say goodbye to my former love.


I never expect to see you again.
I do not anticipate ever encountering you again.


For I'm bound to ride that northern railroad,
I am destined to travel on the northern railroad.


Perhaps I'll die upon this train.
It is possible that I may pass away while on this train.


You can bury me in some deep valley,
When I die, you can lay me to rest in a deep valley.


For many years where I may lay.
For a long time, I will remain in that place.


Then you may learn to love another,
After I'm gone, it's possible that you will find another love.


While I am sleeping in my grave.
While I am at peace in my resting place.


Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
It's possible that those close to you see me as a foreigner or outsider.


My face, you'll never see no more.
You will never again behold my countenance.


But there is one promise that is given
There is one guarantee that is assured.


I'll meet you on God's golden shore.
We will cross paths again in the afterlife on heaven's shores.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Traditional, John Allen, Scott Mills, Victor Carrera

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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